Morris tribune., 1887-01-26


moral, more perfect, and she was an
old maid. Probably she was tine only
person in the world of whom Lady
Hayward was afraid. Miss Collette
was a severe censor in all things, and
kept her eyeglass we'll fixed on her
younger sister, who had an important
position to fill before the world. At
sent Miss ColIette was very angry
ause she did not know what WI
being done about the thefts and she
held that she ought to have been one
of the council. But Lady Hayward
was obstinate; she had found out be-
fore that the exemplary Cecilia could
not hold her tongue.
This extreme discretion having been
observed, the Scotlan Yard detective
arrived, as a visitor, and no one paid
any particular attention to him. He
was very quiet, and adopted the char
acter of the man who could not dance,
ort talk or do anything, and it answer
ed admirably. A number of other men
with superb shirt fronts hung about the
doorways and looked bored; Mr..
Hawk was admirably gotten up for
the purpose, and had only to mingle
with these others and look as bored
as they. Lady Hayward was de-
lighted at this excellent effacement OF
himself and kept her eye on him with
great interest. She managed to speak
to him very late, when the party was
breaking up. He had discovered
so far-not even a ''clew'-and she
went to bed disappointed.
Visitors ut Hayward castle break
tasted, OF course, at any time during
the morning; but the family and
household always assembled to morn
ing prayers at a quarter to 9, suG
breakfast formally began directly
afterwards. Mr.. Hawk had learned
this, and was in the breakfast
room early-the only guest pres
emit. No one else turned up but Lord
and Lady Hayward themselves, Rose
Mannering, who always appeared
with her charge at this time, and the
Even Miss Collette was too
tired to come down, though no one
was stricter, theoretically, on the
subject of family prayers. Howgrate-
full was Lady Hayward, half an hour
atterward, that her sister had been
late that morning.
The servants all came in led by the
butler and the stately housekeeper,
and Lord Hayward read prayers. Mr..
Hawk sat very quietly in the shadow
OF a curtain.
With all decorum the servants filed
ont again, and Mr.. Hawk did not
move. The moment the door closed
on the last of them he learned over
to Lord HAYWARD.
My lord" he said, ''may the men
watch the windows OF this
room outside for a few minutes?
Don't ask me TO explain, there's no
time to lose"
The old butler came in at that
moment, carrying a silver coffee pot.
Lord Hayward gave the order.
And tell them to keep their eyes
OPEN added Mr.. Hawk. We've
got to deal with the lightest pair OF
heels in the kingdom"
Lady Hayward listened and hooked,
her heart i'll her mouth. What was
coming next?
Your ladyship," said Mr.. Hawk,
may l send for your maid?" Lord
Hayward rang instantly.
'Why should you suspect herr"
protested Lady Hayward. "She is q
most superior girl. She has Travelled
with me and know her well. No sus-
picion must fall on her unless you
have proof"
Mr.. Hawk rose and went anxiously
20 the door. The order had been Civ
I'd, but scarcely moment had elapsed.
do you expect her to come in less
than a moment?' asked Lady Hay
ward, a little GROSSLY.
Just then Taylor appeared at the
door; the butler was behind her She
came in and the door was shut, the
butler remaining outside. At the
first glance Lady Hayward had seen a
curious look on the girls face-one she
lad never seen there before. But i'm.
she was herself again, and
she stood before Lord and Lady Hay
ward and the detective, perfectly quiet,
without culver on her face.
"John," said Mr.. Hawk, "this is
'eally very wrong of you; it is an inn
amous trick to have played, and
knew you weren't out OF the country;
out I'd no idea you could be dong
such thing as this
While he spoke Mr.. Hawk had ap-
preached Taylor and put pair OF
handouts on her. There had been a
little by-play first. Taylor had scan
led the windows and instantly saw
hey were guarded.
$50 the games up!" she said sullen.
y. - o-.s -. - --
Eyes, my lady's maid, to the tune
If fourteen years." answered Mr.. |
Hawk.
"What does it mean?" cried Lady |
81 can't understand"
Mr.. Hawk snatched the dainty little |
oarisian cap and smooth brown wig
rom Taylor's head and flung them on |
he floor. In an instant the gentle
iris face became a mans, smooth |
md malleable as wax. 1t was not |
ice to look at just now. The head |
vas covered with dark, very, very
hort growth of hair.
Lady Hayward uttered ashriek and |
ell back into her chair.
"I'll take him off," said Mr.. Hawk. |
It's too much for her ladyship."
"NIr. Hawk! Mr.. Hawk" cried poor
lady Hayward, ''put on his wig, and
axe him away as a woman! I'll give
'ou anything-anything if you'll do
hat"
Mr.. Hawk seemed suddenly to un-
Ierstand.
"Your ladyship may depend on me-"
e said, solemnly, and put the wig and
ap on with the greatest solemnlty.
Vernon" exclaimed Lady Hay
'ard, Historically, the moment the
DOR was shut, promise you'll keep
he secret-don't tell anyone! Don't
ell Cecilia! Vernon, are you a brute?
10 believe that you are laughing"
FaIao (r.0Ipn